The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-01-31

Tor the volcano, OeinS sum ulateG thereto
by the increasing smoke surrounding the
newly-built cone OF Halemaumau. Sew
eral ladies were of the party. | shall not
attempt a description of this scene OF
desOlatiOn 1t has been done in verse
and prose so often that nothing can be
added in the way of word painting. We
were all impressed with the inhospitable
and repulsive aspect of the place-at least
I was-and with the imperative necessity
for keeping ones eyes steadily
fixed on the lava floor and I'M
deviatingly following ones leader.
If there be place on earth where conserva-
tism should be enthroned it is the great
and mysterious Volcano of Kilauea. Its
greatest efforts are on conservative lines;
its most brilliant displays never make or
break anything. 1t seems always to act
upon precedent. There is no sputter or
originality of the eruptive kind as in other
volcanoes of which we know something,
but for decOrous demonstration and retreat
it bears the palm. Doubtless it has its use
in the economy of Nature, but if so 1 have
not discovered it. Hence visitors to the
Volcano of Kilauea must be scrupulOusly
on their guard when treading its broken
pavement. To wander from the beaten
path is full of danger and toll or even
death. An original idea is entirely out of
place at KiIauea, and false step would be
certain destruction at Halemaumau or
the Little Beggar, or for the matter of
that, nearly everywhere else within its
stupendous walls, as some of the excur-
sionists came to understand the evening
following.
WHAT WAS VISIBLE AND WHAT WAS NOT.
We were fortunate to see fire and flames
III various places, but not to any great
extent. The flames were intermittent, and
to speak plainly were not sufficient to i'm
press one very profoundly with their vol
ume or force. But the drain from Kilauea
by the Kahuka flow was sufficient to aC-
count for for this, and our party returned
convinced that but for this outlet there
would have been an overflow of lava III
the crater itself Be that as it may, we re-
turned to the Volcano House thoroughly
tired and prepared for repOse. The second
division had arrived some time before our
return and were convinced that they would
have better luck the following day than we
had.
They tried their luck on the 9th and failed
The day was miserably wet, and the vast
floor of the Volcano was mass of white
steam. 1t was not possible to see any OBJ
ject in it distinctly from the pail at the
Volcano House, much less see from the
level of the volcano floor. Two parties
were arranged for one to start at 2 p. m.
and return before dark, the other to start
at p. m, go down into the extinct lake
and cross over to Halemaumau, returning
during the night. If this arrangement
had been carried out all had been well;
but it was not. Seventeen persons, includ-
ing several ladies, braved the pelting
rain and descended the pail to the volcano,
accompanied by a Single guide David
MalO by name. AS nothing could be seen
from the edge of the crater, owing to the
dense steam, and rain was falling fast the
majority concluded to return, leaving six,
one lady and five gentlemen behind, with
the understanding that the guide should
return and conduct them into the crater
He expected to meet the second guide soon
after leaving the crater, but only met him
cano House. This was the cause of all fol-
lowing trouble.
LOST IN THE CRATER.
David at once set out on his return to the
crater. In the meantime night had fallen,
and the rain increased. The party at the
crater tired of waiting, set out on their re-
turn without a guide, one of the party,
L. nh "a,
to pilot them. He had been
there before, but he very soon got astray,
and after a variety of mishaps and adven-
lures, during which they got around to the
south side of the crater, on the edge of a
cooling mass of lava, they resolved to
camp cut for the night, providing as much
shelter as possible for their lady COM
panion, who behaved with much GOODNESS
and bravery throughout the trying ordeal |
The party had one lamp, and did not
light it until late, lest they should be left |
in total darkness before succor could reach
them. 1t was used as signal light the |
gentlemen taking turns to wave it and |
shout for help. Ultimately David Malo, the
guide, heard and succeeded in extricating |
hem. He behaved with great GOODNESS |
and intelligence, and deserves something !
more than special mention in a newspaper. |
The lady was greatly exhausted when she |
got to the Volcano House at half-past TO- |
The soles of her shoes were worn off, and |
Ter feet scorched and bruised. The party
who had this adventure were: Mrs. F.
W. Schmidt, Stockton, California, a native
If Honolulu; Messrs. f. B. Jaeger and
2. Z. Churchill, Burlington, Iowa; w L.
'teadman, Lawrence, Massachusetts; Ed
!. Howard, Los Angeles, and Theo
SEVERN, Honolulu.
THE CRATER OF KILAUEA, HAWAII
The present appearance of the crater of
<ilauea indicates great changes as taking
,lace almost daily. 1t should be borne in
mind that the entire contents of the break
own" of March, 1886, are being f1oated up
Yards upon the surface of the layas re-
urning to the former siteOf Halemaumau
When, at the date mentioned, the LIQUID
avas which fed the great lakes of Hale
naumau and New Lake retreated, the
Whole vast area, fully equal in height
nd dimensions to Diamond Head, fell in,
eaving chasm three miles in circumfer-
nee and 300 feet in depth. The body of
ava which then flowed away did got find